Home Central FloridaBusch Gardens Tampa Bay SandSerpent will be closing in July

SandSerpent will be closing in July

by Jeff
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SandSerpent Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closing next month.  The park said they are closing to make way for an exciting new addition.  Here’s what Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has posted on their website:

For nearly two decades, SandSerpent has thrilled families at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Making way to an exciting new addition in the Pantopia area, the popular 5-story-tall roller coaster will be retired permanently. Now through July 9, guests will have the chance to ride SandSerpent one last time.

Stay tuned for updates and future announcements on Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s exciting new addition.

SandSerpent is a wild-mouse style coaster that features small cars that make tight turns as they move along the track, climbing five stories high.  Check out the SandSerpent Stats:

SandSerpent Stats
Type Steel
Design Sit-Down
Intensity Level Thrill
Manufacturer Mack Rides
Track Layout Wild Mouse
Length 1,213.9 ft
Height 45.9 ft
Speed 28 MPH
Duration 1 Minute 50 seconds
Elements Chain Lift Hill
Train Single car trains. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 4 riders per car.
Capacity 1,120 riders per hour
Known As Wild Izzy
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
1997
Wild Maus
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
1997-2003
Cheetah Chase
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
2004-2011
SandSerpent
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
2011-2023
Fun Facts On standard Mack Wild Mouse Model built prior to 2007 have two small dips prior to brake run. The SandSerpent has one dip unlike the standard model as there is a flat track in place after the dip.

This coaster was opened in 1996 as Wild Izzy in Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  Originally it was called Wild Izzy since the company was the sponsor of 1996 Summer Olympics games.  From 1997 to 2003, it was renamed to Wild Maus.  In 2004, it was relocated to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and opened as Cheetah Chase.  It was renamed to SandSerpent after Cheetah Hunt was opened in 2011 to reduce confusion between two different roller coasters.

Check out the POV:

Serengeti Flyer is the new addition to Busch Garden Tampa Bay which is nearby Pantopia section of the park where the SandSerpent Coaster is located.

Here’s the video that was posted on TikTok earlier:

@coastermedia SandSerpent Coaster at Busch Garden Tampa Bay will be closing on July 9, 2023. It was opened in 2004 as Cheetah Chase. It was renamed to SandSerpent after Cheetah Hunt was opened in 20211. Get your last ride on! #buschgardentampabay #rollercoaster #sandserpent #fyp ♬ original sound – CoasterMedia

The last day to ride SandSerpent will be July 9, 2023.

Stay tuned on CoasterMedia.net on latest update on Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and other theme parks as well!

Be sure to FOLLOW CoasterMedia on TwitterFacebookTikTokInstagram, and YouTube for the latest updates from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

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